A designer, artist, civil engineer and athlete. It’s the American dream story that began in Europe and continued in the USA. André arrived in the United States as a European immigrant over 40 years ago. André, a civil engineer by trade, combined his technical skills with his artistic passion, and created the André Assous brand in the 1970’s. His debut jute wrapped espadrilles were an instant hit.

One man’s global embrace of style and meticulous love for detail transformed the classic espadrille from a sketch to an iconic fashion trend. A mentor to a new generation of designers and advisor to the fashion world’s biggest names, André’s passion for shoemaking artistry and his design philosophy is now being carried forward by young designers in five fresh masterful collections. For every woman, on every continent, who continues to evolve and strive to live her best life.

New York fashion houses continue to draw inspiration from André's designs, and some of the top American brands have tapped his creative intellect and stylistic sense to assist with everything from logo designs to fashion direction.